VIBE

In the early days of China’s “Opening and Reform” period, embassy district Sanlitun was basically the only area of the city where expats could hang out, so a handful of grimy bars, restaurants, and shops opened to service their needs and keep them entertained. Over the past few decades, however, Beijing’s wining, dining, and retail therapy options have increased exponentially, and expats are no longer “quarantined” in Sanlitun’s narrow backstreets. Not to be caught behind the times, Sanlitun has completely reinvented itself to keep up with the competition, blossoming from a dusty strip into a chichi nightlife and shopping neighborhood. The area is anchored in the south with the mod chrome-and-glass Village at Sanlitun luxury mall and extends northward with sunny Med-inspired mall Nali Patio and local designer haven 3.3 Mall, before connecting with the last few remaining boutiques (sentimentally beloved by long-term expats) of the “old” Sanlitun strip.

USE A PURCHASE FROM HERE FOR

A hip fashion statement; a gift; home décor

WHY WE LIKE IT

There’s an interesting range of shops, from the glitzy international designer flagships in The Village and the funky boutiques in Nali Patio and 3.3 Mall to the hardy holdouts from Sanlitun’s early days. This is a great spot to go shopping with a group (there’s really something for everyone) and “the” place to go if you want to put a finger on the pulse of Beijing’s expat scene.

GOOD TO KNOW

The heart of the district runs between Gong Ti Bei Lu and Dong Zhi Men Wai Da Jie. If you’re looking for a mid-shopping snack, chic Italian gelateria Gustomenta (24 San Li Tun Lu) serves authentic scoops of gelato and sorbet. Further up the street, Middle Eastern café Dareen’s Coffee offers scrumptious cakes and hearty couscous stews. But before you start snacking, get fitted for an authentic, form-fitting bespoke qipao (Chinese dress) from Lisa Tailor in 3.3 Mall.